![]() The eggs are laid in April in the more southern colonies and are incubated for approximately 40 days. Puffins dig burrows on the ground or between rocks where they build a soft nest of feathers and grass to incubate the usually single egg they lay. They gather in wide rafts and mate on the surface of the water. They breed on grassy slopes on steep sea cliffs, usually at the same colony where they themselves hatched. The European breeding population of Atlantic Puffins is estimated to be around 3,700,000 – 4,120,000 pairs. The average catch is around 10 fish per trip but the record in Britain is a whopping 62 fish at once! ![]() They can catch several small fish in one dive, holding them in their beak while continuing to catch other fish. While foraging, Atlantic Puffins can stay under water up to one minute and can dive as deep as 40 meters. Main prey: While they mostly prey on small fish, such as sand eels, herrings, hakes and capelins, occasionally, they might be spotted eating crustaceans and molluscs. This technique makes it look like they are flying under water! When diving, puffins use their wings to push them through the water and their feet as a rudder. This seabird beats its wings rapidly and flies relatively high above the water. ![]() Their carotenoid rich diet turns their bills and feet bright orange – but only during their breeding season! During winter, their bills and feet fade to duller shades. When viewed from the side, it is broad and triangular. The oldest Atlantic Puffin ever recorded was 36 years old.ĭistinct features: Atlantic Puffins have a very distinctive beak. In Europe, the population size is estimated to have decreased by 68% over the past 50 years. Global population: 7,400,000 – 8,240,000 mature individuals with a decreasing population. IUCN status: Vulnerable (Global)/ Endangered (Europe)
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